Another 'selling point' would be you subject knowledge of biology (we assign LSAs to faculties and this level of knowledge would be invaluable) and your experience liaising with parents, as each SEN student will have an IEP which requires you to liaise with different agencies and parents and people skills are vital!

Also, reading up on dyslexia, ASD, aspergers, dyspraxia as well as getting a copy of the school's displine policy (should be online) would be a good idea.

I started as an unqualified TA at about your age. I'm not a TA now, I'm a head teacher. I would happily employ an enthusiastic and articulate person who had common sense and basic understanding of the role. Make sure you think about how you might answer qus on:- Safeguarding and child protection- What you know about a range of needs - ASD, Dyslexia, speech difficulties, emotional and behavioural needs etc- Confidentiality- Teamwork- The effect of helping too much- How you might work with parents- What you'd do if you disagreed with a teacher- Dealing with challenging behaviour- Skills/qualities/knowledge you bring to the job- What you want to do long term- The training you feel you need

Remember, in most cases, the school will have policies and procedures for dealing with things. You should make it clear you would learn and follow these for behaviour, CP etc.

Finally, good luck, you've shown initiative by coming on here so you're in with a good chance!

This thread has been very interesting to me. It's seems in certain parts of the country you don't necessarily need a TA qualification but where I live it is the standard. No qualification, you aren't even considered. I,also find it a bit sad that I was knocked for even suggesting it.

You weren't knocked for suggesting it, it was just incorrect and not relevant to the OP as she already has an interview - telling her she needs to have a certificate when obviously she doesn't isn't helpful.

I don't think anyone told OP she had to have a certificate.Some people said that in their part of the country they couldn't get an interview as easily as she could.It's like saying it rains different amounts in different places. Just a comment on difference.

Good luck with your interview! I've worked as a TA in the past and I think you've been given some good advice here. IMO I would also do a bit of research into various specific conditions which can impact on learning eg. Asperger's, autism, ADHD, Dyslexia, hearing impairments to name just a few. Think about specific situations where a TA might be of value to the student.

IMO some of the main qualities a TA needs are empathy, patience and good, old-fashioned common sense as well as a love of learning and the ability to 'think on the job' and inspire others. You also need to be able to take direction from colleagues and so you need very good communication skills and a diplomatic approach!

Bad luck, but it's all experience. Good luck for next time. You did really well getting an interview, there are people subbing in my school, some for a couple of years, and they didn't get interviews for the jobs they were in .

This thread has been useful along with advise on TES for my interview preparation. Thank you to everyone who is sharing advise! I'm not a mum although feel I should post a comment. I will be sharing my interview experience in a few days.

I don't have an Education/Childcare degree nor TA qualifications, or any experience working in U.K. school, neither am I associated with a school as a volunteer or as a parent.

I've been working as an EFL (English as a Foreign Language) Teacher abroad for a year with Primary/Early Years students and want to continue to study for a PGCE next year. I stated clearly in my application that I only wanted a years experience and most jobs are only 1 year contracts anyway. I was told while i was abroad by other English teachers that i'd have no problem getting TA work and have spent a couple of months now sending off applications!! I knew I had a slim chance with most of my applications. I guess I'm lucky that TA work is so lowly paid, otherwise I wouldn't stand a chance, I'm just after a years experience like any other intern/apprentice who wants a solid grounding in a career.

I was getting disheartened reading on here that you definitely needed TA qualifications and how competitive getting a TA job is, although if I have an interview offer I must of passed the first stage and if I am offered a job then there is hope for everyone on here who still waiting. I'll report back with interview feedback once its over!

Sarahlimes, my dh started as an efl teacher and then got a fantastic TA job. He's now doing training and taking courses on understanding autism and he's really enjoying it. Good luck to you! It's a very rewarding career!

Defo expect something on safeguarding and your understanding of it. Do a bit of research into it - came about cos of Victoria climbie, and has been updated regularly - latterly following baby peter. perhaps mention lord laming and ECM.